Christian Pulisic Wins 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year

19-Year-Old Midfielder Becomes Youngest Player to Receive the Honor

MNTDec 14, 2017

CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2017) – U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Christian Pulisic has been voted the 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, with the announcement taking place earlier today live on the The Herd with Colin Cowherd on FS1. The 19-year-old becomes the youngest player in the award’s 34-year history to earn the honor, besting Landon Donovan who won it for the first time at age 21 in 2003.

"It really is a big honor and I just want to thank everyone who voted for me to win U.S. Male Player of the Year," Pulisic said. "It’s something that I never could have imagined to be here in this position. I’m thankful for everyone who supported me and I’m excited for the future."

Votes were collected from Men’s National Team players that earned a cap in 2017, Men’s National Team and Youth Men’s National Team coaches, Major League Soccer, North American Soccer League and United Soccer League head coaches, as well as select former players, administrators and media members.

Receiving a comprehensive 94 percent of the tabulated votes, Pulisic turned in a remarkable performance for the MNT in 2017. The MNT’s biggest offensive contributor during the year, the 19-year-old recorded six goals and four assists in nine matches, but either directly (goal or assist) or indirectly (earning a free kick, rebound on a shot), was involved in 13 of the 17 goals scored during matches in which he played this year.

On the club front, Pulisic ended his first full season with the Borussia Dortmund first team by recording three goals and three assists in 25 matches across all competitions for the Bundesliga runners-up. Along with featuring for BVB in the UEFA Champions League, Pulisic topped the 2016-17 campaign by earning the game-winning penalty kick in Dortmund’s 2-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB-Pokal Final on May 27. Pulisic has continued to be one of Dortmund’s most influential players this season.

Pulisic becomes the 24th different player to be named U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year since it was first awarded to midfielder Rick Davis in 1984. Click here for the full list of U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year winners.